Chronological Incident Log
Add Timeline Event
Documented Losses & Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Add Expense Item
| Category | Provider / Payee | Status | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Documented: | $0.00 | |||
Auto Incident Consultation Brief
Created for personal consultation prep
Organize chronological records, collision facts, injury tracking, and property loss before speaking with legal counsel or insurance claim adjusters.
| Category | Provider / Payee | Status | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Documented: | $0.00 | |||
After an automobile collision in California, individuals frequently ask: "Should I hire a lawyer?" The honest answer depends on the presence of factual complexities: comparative fault disputes, delayed physical injuries, commercial insurance tiers (such as rideshare or freight carriers), or government entity involvement.
Organizing your records before your first attorney consultation or recorded insurer statement prevents critical oversights, protects your rights, and ensures you ask the right questions without committing to hasty settlements.
Yes. California follows the pure comparative fault rule (Civ. Code § 1714). Even if you were partially at fault for a collision, you may still recover damages reduced by your proportion of fault. Insurers often attempt to assign inflated fault percentages during initial phone statements; keeping an objective evidence timeline counters these claims.
Generally, California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 provides two (2) years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit for personal injury, and three (3) years for property damage alone (§ 338). However, if any governmental agency is involved, a formal administrative claim must be filed within six (6) months under Gov. Code § 911.2.
Soft tissue damage, concussions, and cervical strain frequently manifest 24 to 72 hours after initial adrenaline subsides. Insurance adjusters scrutinize treatment gaps. Documenting every symptom progression and doctor examination establishes causal continuity.
No. This tool operates entirely inside your local web browser session. Your names, collision logs, medical expenses, and notes never leave your personal computer or phone.